While walking to a meeting the other day, we noticed this plaque noting the former site of Rhodes Tavern at 15th and F Sts. NW. According to the plaque:

The original building was erected in 1799 and opened as a tavern in 1801 by William Rhodes

Washington’s first ‘Town Hall’ occurred here in 1801 and White House architect James Hoban was among the citizens who gathered to petition Congress for representation

Throughout its history, the building was a polling place (First City Council election, 1802), a boarding house used by members of Congress (1807-1814), home of the Bank of the Metropolis ( 1814-1836), home to Riggs Bank (1840-1845), and site of the Washington Stock Exchange (1881-1884).

From 1909-1914, this was the site of the National Press Club, where visitors included Presidents Roosevelt, Taft and Wilson.